OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of suppressive oligodeoxynucleotides (Sup ODN) on interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and signal transducers and activators of transcription (pSTAT4) expression of Silica-induced pulmonary inflammation in Mice.

METHODSSixty Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, normal control group, silicious group, suppressive oligodeoxynucleotides (Sup ODN) group, control oligodeoxynucleotides (Con ODN) group. Except the normal control group injected normal saline, the rest groups were induced by the intratracheal instillation of 0.1 ml (5 g/L) of sterilized silica suspension. Sup ODN group and Con ODN group were treated by i.p. injection of 0.3 ml (1mg/mL) of suppressive or control ODN 3 h before silica administration. After 7 days, the animals were killed and levels of IFN-γ were detected by ELISA. The pathologic changes in lung tissues of mice were observed with HE staining. Expressions of IFN-γ and pSTAT4 in lung tissue were detected with immunohistochemistry and quantified by Image-Pro Plus 7.0.

RESULTSHE staining showed that the lung tissue of silicious group were damaged seriously than Sup ODN group. Compared with the normal control group (serum: (280.1±41.3) pg/ml, lung tissue: (0.249±0.373), IFN-γ increased in silicious group (serum: (886.3±81.7) pg/ml, lung tissue: (0.270±0.300) (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group and Con ODN group [(894.5±91.6) pg/ml], IFN-γ in the serum of Sup ODN group decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Compared with the silicious group , IFN-γ in lung tissue decreased in Sup ODN group (0.241±0.250) (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group (0.279±0.353), pSTAT4 in lung tissue increased significantly in silicious group (0.313±0.231) (P < 0.01). Compared with the silicious group, pSTAT4 in lung tissue decreased significantly in Sup ODN group (0.269±0.523) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSup ODN attained protective effect on Silica treated mice by suppressing expression of IFN-γ and pSTAT4.

Animals ; Female ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides ; pharmacology ; Phosphorylation ; STAT4 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Silicon Dioxide ; toxicity

OBJECTIVETo review the 2461 cases of maxillofacial fractures.

METHODSFrom 2003 to 2009, 2461 maxillofacial fracture cases were treated in Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Data regarding sex, age, cause of injury, occupation, geographic distribution, blood type, fracture site, multiple associated injuries, injury severity, the patient's first admitted department, treatment results were reviewed.

RESULTSThe male and female ratio was 4.28:1, 1424(57.86 %) patients were between 20 and 40 years of age. The most common cause of injury was road traffic accident (938 cases, 40.98%). People in tertiary industry (900 cases, 78.53%) were most vulnerable to injuries. The zygomatic complex (22.08%), nasal bone (20.67%) and mandible (16.35%) were the most frequent fracture sites, which were often associated with skull (21.74%), brain (38.36%) and soft tissue contusion injury (48.84%). 85.98% (2116/2461 cases), of patients' AIS score was less than 2. Orthopaedics (939/2461 cases, 38.16%) was the first admitted department.

CONCLUSIONSThe traffic accidents are the main cause of the maxillofacial fractures. Most injuries are found in the young and middle-aged people.

Accidents, Traffic ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Transfusion ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mandibular Fractures ; epidemiology ; etiology ; surgery ; Maxillofacial Injuries ; epidemiology ; etiology ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Bone ; injuries ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Factors ; Skull Fractures ; epidemiology ; etiology ; surgery ; Young Adult ; Zygomatic Fractures ; epidemiology ; etiology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo explore a new access for internal rigid fixation of mandibular mid-and-low condylar fracture.

METHODS16 patients of unilateral mid-and-low condylar fractures were treated with a 2cm mini-retromandibular approach. The subcutaneous tissues superficial to the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS) were dissected forward that parallel to the masseter muscle fiber bundles, aiming to the fracture. After exposing the fracture, the fracture segments were reduced and fixed under sufficient exposure.

RESULTSCorrect anatomic reduction and occlusion were achieved in all cases. Additionally, all patients showed normal articular function and the surgical scars were barely visible.

CONCLUSIONThe transmasseter approach by retromandibular access is one of the feasible methods for curing mid-and-low condylar fracture, which minimizeing the risk of facial nerve injury and reducing the visible scars.

Adult ; Dental Occlusion ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible ; Mandibular Condyle ; Mandibular Fractures ; Masseter Muscle ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe different effects of moxibustion on extracellular potassium ion in acupoint under physiological and pathological status and provide experimental evidence for exploring action mechanism of moxibustion on acupoint local.

METHODSForty female SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a blank-moxibustion group, a model group and a model-moxibustion group, 10 cases in each one. The complete Freund's adjuvant(CFA) was adopted to establish model of adjuvant arthritis (AA) in the model group and model-moxibustion group. No treatment was given in the blank group and model group while moxibustion was applied at "Zusan-li" (ST 36) for 30 min in the blank-moxibustion group and model-moxibustion group. The tissue fluid in "Zusanli" (ST 36) was collected with microdialysis and real-time analyzed by electrolytic analyzer. The change of concentration of potassium ion in "Zusanli" (ST 36) was observed.

RESULTS(1) Under physiological status, the concentration of extracellular potassium ion in the blank group was not changed within 150 min (P > 0.05); before the moxibustion, the concentration of extracellular potassium ion in the blank-moxibustion group was (1.21 +/- 0.31) mmol/L, and after treatment it was gradually increased and reached its peak at (2.38 +/- 0.42) mmol/L after 60 min (P < 0.05), then it was reduced. 150 min after the treatment, concentration of potassium ion was slightly higher than that before moxibustion as well as that in the blank group. The concentration in the blank-moxibustion group at 60 min was statistically significant compared with that in the blank group (P < 0.05). (2) Under pathological status, the concentration of extracellular potassium ion in the model group was not changed within 150 min, differences of which at each time point was not statistically significant (all P > 0.05). Before the moxibustion, the concentration of extracellular potassium ion was (1.09 +/- 0.12) mmol/L in the model-moxibustion group, and it was immediately increased to (1.96 +/- 0.18) mmol/L after moxibustion. 60 min and 90 min after the moxibustion, it still maintained a higher level, which was (1.87 +/- 0.29) mmol/L and (1.59 +/- 0.16) mmol/L respectively (both P < 0.05). The differences of each time point after moxibustion in the model-moxibustion group were statistically significant compared with those in the model group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe moxibustion could increase the concentration of potassium ion in rat's acupoint local under physiological status but time of effect is short; with moxibustion at "Zusanli" (ST 36) under pathological status, the concentration of local potassium ion is obviously increased and maintains for a long time.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; metabolism ; therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; Potassium ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo determine the relationship between prehospital delay time (PDT) and other associated factors on mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed factors associated with mortality in 580 patients with acute myocardial infarction presented to the Emergency Ward and Emergency Intensive Care Unit (EICU) of Beijing Anzhen Hospital from March 2004 to March 2006 (428 males, average age: 60.7 +/- 12.9 years). The patients were divided to 3 groups according various therapies: thrombolysis, PCI/CABG or symptomatic medication groups.

RESULTSThe median PDT was 130 min. Thrombolysis, PCI/CABG and medical therapy were applied in 122 (21.0%), 266 (45.9%) and 192 (33.1%) patients respectively. PDT was significantly longer in patients receiving medical therapy (290.9 min +/- 3.4 min) compared to patients treated with thrombolysis (104.5 min +/- 2.3 min) and PCI/CABG (119.1 min +/- 2.3 min, all P < 0.05). The overall mortality rate was 5.3% (31/580) and all occurred in patients with medical therapy group mostly due to irreversible ventricular fibrillations. Old age (OR = 1.047, P = 0.004), diabetes mellitus (OR = 2.159, P = 0.02) and PDT (OR = 2.159, P = 0.023) are independent predict factors for mortality.

CONCLUSIONCoronary Revascularisation by thrombolysis, PCI or CABG early post acute myocardial infarction is the key issue for reducing mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Diagnostic Errors ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; diagnosis ; mortality ; therapy ; Patient Admission ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of a microfluidic sperm sorter on the routine parameters and DNA integrity of human sperm.

METHODSWe divided 40 semen samples into two aliquots and performed sperm sorting using a self-made polydimethylsiloxane microfluidic sperm sorter and the swim-up method, respectively. Then we evaluated and compared the effects of these two methods on the sperm routine parameters and DNA integrity by computer-assisted sperm analysis and sperm chromatin dispersion test.

RESULTSAfter processing, sperm motility, normal morphology and tail hypoosmotic swelling rate were significantly improved, while sperm DNA damage remarkably decreased (P < 0.01). The microfluidic sperm sorter achieved a significantly lower rate of sperm DNA damage than the swim-up method ([ 8.4 +/- 5.8 ]% vs [16.4 +/- 9.2] %, P < 0.01), but no statistically significant differences were found in all other parameters between the two methods.

CONCLUSIONHigh-quality sperm with less DNA integrity damage could be obtained in sperm sorting with the microfluidic sperm sorter.

Adult ; Cell Separation ; instrumentation ; methods ; DNA ; DNA Damage ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Male ; Microfluidics ; Middle Aged ; Protein Array Analysis ; Semen Analysis ; instrumentation ; methods ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa

BACKGROUNDWe determined the diagnosis of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasis (HHT) in a suspected HHT family, identified ALK1 gene mutation and established a gene diagnosis method of HHT. The level of related plasma proteins (transforming growth factor beta and thrombomodulin) were also analyzed.

METHODSBleeding history and family history were collected; Dilatant nasal mucosal capillaries in proband were observed under nasal cavity endoscope; exons 3, 7, 8 of ALK1 gene in proband and her family members were amplified with polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the PCR products were analyzed. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), plasma TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta2 concentrations were measured. Plasma thrombomodulin (TM) level was detected by Western blotting.

RESULTSOf all family members, four had epstaxis, two had evident telangiectases on skin or mucosa. Gene screening results showed that C to T substitution at position 1231 in exon 8 of ALK1 gene (CGG-->TGG) existed in proband, her affected brother and their father. The mutation did not exist in proband's sister-in-law and nephew. Plasma TGF-beta1 concentrations in the affected HHT was 20,538, 17,194, 13,131 pg/ml, while that of normal control and unaffected family members was 15,950, 20,297, 12,836 pg/ml, respectively. Plasma TGF-beta2 in HHT patients was 14,502, 9550, 10,592 and that of normal controls 8579, 20,297, 7680 pg/ml respectively. Level of plasma TM was in HHT subjects significantly lower than in normal subjects.

CONCLUSIONSChinese HHT individuals have mutant ALK1 gene, a C1231T variation on exon 8 of ALK1 is responsible for HHT clinical phenotypes in this family. ALK1 gene analysis, together with special clinical phenotypes and family history, provides a reliable method in diagnosing HHT. In affected HHT subjects, plasma TGFbeta levels were not obviously different from those of normal subject; while plasma TM concentration was significantly lower than that in normal subjects. The significance and mechanism remain to be elucidated.

Activin Receptors, Type I ; genetics ; Activin Receptors, Type II ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Telangiectasia, Hereditary Hemorrhagic ; blood ; genetics ; Thrombomodulin ; blood ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; blood

OBJECTIVETo screen and analyze CD34(+) cell specific microRNAs (miRNAs) from the patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and their expression.

METHODSCD34(+) cells were sorted from AML patients or the mobilized peripheral blood of the donors of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (normal control subjects) and followed by the extraction of the cell total RNAs. The differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs, miR) were selected after hybridizing with miRNA microarray, real time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) was subsequently applied to confirm the expression of the selected miRs, and PCR products were further cloned and sequenced to check their specificity.

RESULTSOf the differentially expressed miRNAs, 191 were found to be at least one-fold change in the CD34(+) cells between the AML patients and the normal control subjects. Of the 191 miRNAs, the expression difference of 94 was significant (P < 0.05). Among these 94 miRNAs, the expression of 44 miRNAs was increased and the other 50 miRNAs was decreased in the CD34(+) cells from the bone marrow of AML patients compared with the CD34(+) cells from the mobilized peripheral blood of the normal control subjects. Real time PCR verified that the expression level of miR-10a and miR-220c in the CD34(+) cells from the bone marrow of AML patients was 19.6% and 19.0% of that of CD34(+) cells from mobilized peripheral blood of the normal control subjects. DNA sequencing and BLAST DNA database searching results indicated that the PCR products were really miR-10a and miR-220c.

CONCLUSIONA variety of differentially expressed-miRNAs are existed between AML and normal control subjects CD34(+) cells, the expression of miR-10a and miR-220c was significantly down-regulated in the CD34(+) cells from the bone marrow of AML patients.

Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of human coagulation factor IX (hFIX) gene in human umbilical cord blood (CB) CD34+ cells which was transfected with recombinant adeno-associated virus 2 (rAAV-2).

METHODThe CD34+ cells were transfected with rAAV-2/hFIX and cultured for 21 days for inducing differentiation into myeloid, erythroid and megakaryocytes, respectively. The expression of hFIX was studied at mRNA, protein and biological activity levels. The cytotoxicity of rAAV-2 to CD34+ cells was evaluated by cell proliferation, cell vitality, CD antigen expressions and CFU yields.

RESULTSThe hFIX mRNA was expressed in the cultured cells which was verified by RT-PCR and DNA sequencing. An elevated level of hFIX expression and biological activities were detected with a maximum amount of 14.10 ng/10(6) cell x 24 h. During the period of 21 day culture, the cell vitality, cell proliferation, CD antigen expression and CFU yields between the transfected and un-transfected groups had no difference(P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe human CB CD34+ cells are able to produce functional hFIX after transduction by rAAV-2/hFIX. The cell proliferation and differentiation capacities of the host CD34+ cells were not affected by rAAV-2.

Antigens, CD34 ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Dependovirus ; genetics ; Factor IX ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; metabolism ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo explore the optimal cut-off values of waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) for detecting the severe central obesity and low body weight in adult Chinese population.

METHODSA total of 30 630 participants aged 35-59 years from different areas in mainland China were surveyed for cardiovascular diseases risk factors in two independent cross-sectional studies that carried out in 1992-1994 and 1998, respectively. Indices, such as sensitivity, specificity for hypertension, abnormal glucose, high serum total cholesterol, low serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol and clustering of risk factors (number ≥ 2) were calculated to evaluate the efficacy individual cut-off point of WHtR. The cut-off point value for obvious central obesity was fixed on the point whose specificity of the point was gathered more than 90%. And the cut-off point value to indicate low weight was determined by the percentile distribution of WHtR, at which the 5th percentile of point, both in male and female population. Based on the principle of convenient and practical for use, the optimal cut-off point values of WHtR for low weight and obvious central obesity were determined.

RESULTSThe cut-off values of WHtR to detect severe central obesity were 0.54 and 0.57 for men and women, respectively. Additionally, the cut-off points of WHtR for each of the 4 cardiovascular risk factors to evaluate the severity separately ranged from 0.54 to 0.55 in male, and ranged from 0.57 to 0.58 in female. The 5th percentile of WHtR, which was the point value of WHtR to indicate low body weight, was 0.40 in both male and female population.

CONCLUSIONOur data suggest that the optimal cut-off value of WHtR for defining severe central obesity and low body weight should be 0.57 and 0.40, respectively.

Adult ; Body Height ; Body Mass Index ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity, Abdominal ; diagnosis ; Reference Values ; Thinness ; diagnosis ; Waist Circumference